Listen Live
Fantastic Voyage Generic Graphics Updated Nov 2023
Black America Web Featured Video
CLOSE

Two thieves got a lesson in reaping and sowing while trying to steal from a Houston Church.

The thieves broke into the Westway Baptist Church building attempting to steal copper from the church’s main electric cable. As they tried to take the wire they set off an explosion leaving the church without power.

“Our security alarms went off at 2a.m. on Wednesday and that’s when our church member Homer Pate notified the Harris County Sheriff’s department of the robbery,” said head deacon Michael Kirtley.

The thieves’ actions were all caught on surveillance cameras which showed them pulling up to the church in a truck. It also shows one of the thieves cutting electric wires near the street in a possible attempt to cut the main power line.

In the video, the other thief is shown at the church’s breaker box with bolt cutters trying to cut more wires. The contact between the bolt cutters and the copper wire set off the explosion.

“The man just blew up into a fire ball,” Kirtley told reporters. “I surely don’t know if he was electrocuted or even alive.”

Even though the thieves appear to have learned their lesson, the church is working with local authorities to locate and prosecute the thieves.

The church cancelled all of their Wednesday services and activities since they were without power. They’ve rented a generator to prepare for Sunday services.

“We can start the generator for eight hours only to minimize expenses,” Kirtley said. “Our [insurance] deductible is $5,000. This robbery is going to cost the church a lot.”

Last year, Westway Baptist Church was victim to two other robberies when two of the air conditioners were stolen.